You're free.To do what we want.To be who you are.And you are who you are.

A conscience, as we all know, is that inner voice that tells us right from wrong. It's that still small voice that is always there but not always listened to. And from this we get the phrase a guilty conscience when we've done something against our beliefs that our conscience follows. Or we might have a clear conscience when we've come clean with our guilty conscience and rectified the wrong.

For Jiminy, his guilty conscience is gnawing at him. He's lived a life filled with guilt of conning innocent people of their possessions. He's a master of pickpocketing and a silver tongue. His parents insist conning is only fair; it's the circle of life--take rather than be taken from. But Jiminy doesn't like it. It doesn't seem fair. Of course, it's all he's known since it's the life of his parents. Nevertheless, he wants out.

So after years of living the life of a crook, Jiminy has a plan. No one will get hurt and he will be free at long last. All he has to do is enlist the help of an old family friend...Rumplestiltskin.

As we all know, all magic comes with a price. And that price is never small and insignificant. But what possible harm can come from a simple deal with Rumple?

Rumplestiltskin, always eager to show off his magical abilities in return for greed, offers his assistance to Jiminy, giving him a simple potion in an green opaque vile. His price: just leave his parents where they are after the magic has done its work and he'll come to collect. Without question, Jiminy takes off to begin his future of freedom.

However, his parents have their own tricks up their sleeves. Where do you think Jiminy learned his pickpocketing skills and slight of hand from? You guessed it. And so, after another successful con of providing "elf tonic" to an innocent young couple, which will "save" them from a plague, Jiminy learns that his plan has gone sour. Rather than giving his parents Rumplestiltskin's potion, the young couple took it and now they're wooden puppets. Yet the horror doesn't stop there. The couple have a son who stumbles upon Jiminy and his parents staring at the boy's puppet parents. To say the least, Jiminy feels terrible.

His saving grace? He asks for help from the blue fairy, Rumplestitskin's opposite. Wanting to help the boy and still be free from his parents, Jiminy wishes to become a cricket with a clear conscience. To him, crickets have always represented freedom. And what better way to help the young boy, named Geppetto, than to be his still small voice? The blue fairy grants Jiminy's wish, and there we have Jiminy Cricket's back story.

In Storybrooke, Dr. Archie Hopper is having trouble keeping a clear conscience. He wants to help Henry work through all of his issues, including the most recent, his fairy tale theory. Henry's young with a strong imagination, and there's something to learned from it. But Mayor Mills is guilting him into forcing Henry to see that his fairy tale theory is only a delusion. And if he doesn't, he'll be out of a job and blacklisted throughout Storybrooke. No job, no more helping people find their way in life, only the clothes on his back and his lucky umbrella, which may not be so lucky anymore. And to even entertain such thoughts as these is worthy of becoming a living nightmare.

And so, out of desperation, his listens to the loud and demeaning voice of the mayor and gives the hard talk with Henry filled with words like delusion and psychosis. Naturally upset, Henry runs off to find proof. They'll all see and then they'll be sorry they doubted him.

Just yesterday, the old abandoned mines collapsed when Emma Swan clipped on the official badge of Sheriff's Deputy. The explosion shook all of Storybrooke as the ground caved, exposing the maze of underground tunnels. Of course, only one entrance was actually revealed, but nevertheless, the entire area is now dangerous. Dangerous because more might collapse, but more importantly, it might uncover some of the Mayor's evil secrets. She knows it, and Henry's suspicious; it just might be the break he needs to prove his theory to everyone.

And so, defying the law by crossing the yellow cordoned area, Henry enters the tunnels, armed with a flashlight and candy bars.

While keeping tabs on Henry's whereabouts seems to be high on Regina's lists of things to do each day, it's not always top priority. On this particular day, however, it is. And when it's revealed that Archie's harsh talk sent him into the unstable mine, Regina promptly assembles a rescue team.

In the meantime, Emma and Archie race to the mines, where Archie decides to go in after Henry. Naturally, the mine's entrance caves and the two are trapped below ground.

Searching the dark with his flashlight, Henry discovers a glimmering shard of glass amiss the rocky rubble. Curious, he searches on, only to be stopped when the ground shakes and he nearly runs into Archie. In danger of being permanently trapped or injured, the exploration for proof is put on hold. Getting to safety takes precedence.

Almost simultaneously the rescue team (made up of all our known fairy tale characters to date, minus Mary Margaret and David Nolan--more on that in a minute), and the trapped duo, find an air shaft which holds an old-style elevator. Below ground, Archie and Henry attempt to get the elevator moving upwards. Above ground, Emma is sent into the shaft to rescue the two. Emma, Henry, and Archie meet in the middle. Henry grabs hold of Emma, but the ground starts to shake just as Archie tries to attach himself to the harness. The elevator falls, but Archie's lucky umbrella has come through again, hooked into the harness' buckle.

There's a joyful reunion. Hugs and smiles all around. However, in the elevator shaft, Henry helped Archie realize that it was up to him to decide right from wrong...who he wants to be. He is, after all, a conscience. And so, Archie counters Regina's threats with one of his own. In case of a custody battle, courts typically consult an expert who has worked the child, and so from now on, he's going to do the job the right way, his way.

The revelation brings about another revelation: the crickets are back in Storybrooke. Hmm...things really are changing.

But the real tickler comes when Regina, who had pocketed her own glimmering glass shard from the mines, surreptitiously drops it down the now-closed air shaft. It falls and falls in the shimmering moonlight until it lands in a pile of glass shards next to...Snow White's coffin. The two worlds have collided!

Okay, so what's up with Mary Margaret and David Nolan? He's safely made it out of his coma and set to leave the hospital in a week. Mary Margaret, as we know volunteers at the hospital, is spending quality time with David making new memories with this mysterious new man. He reveals that Mary Margaret's the only thing that feels real about this strange world he's woken up into. No matter how many "memories" Kathryn shares with him about their "past", it's Mary Margaret that feels right, that feels real. If only Kathryn wasn't so nice, the decisions he has to make wouldn't be so hard!

But it's that very issue that alerts Mary Margaret's conscience. As much as she wants to believe David and her own developing feelings for him, being around him will only make it harder. And so, as an attempt to separate herself from him, she resigns from volunteering at the hospital (which is only a temporary fix because he's going home in a week). But it's a start down the right path, right?

Burning Questions:1) What is the significance of Storybrooke's tree emblem? It's on Emma's and Graham's badge, as well as the sheriff's car.2) Anyone else ever question how Jiminy became a cricket? I assumed he'd always been a cricket with a special trick of talking. 3) What is Rumplestiltskin's plan with Geppetto's puppet parents? Display of his magic/power or something else?4) What ever happened to Jiminy's parents?5) Why is Snow White's coffin is Storybrooke? Has is always been there? Has Regina always known it existed there? Will Snow White's coffin ever be discovered by someone other than Regina?6) What else is beneath Storybrooke?7) Will there be a custody battle? Season 2?8) We've now seen Ruby and Billy, the tow truck driver, twice together. Is that going to come into play again? Who's Billy supposed to be?

No matter who tells it, what minor changes are made, such as which actors get the gig, hairstyles, time period, etc, the story of Cinderella will always be a rags to riches tale. However, it is not the traditional story that Once Upon a Time chooses to tell in this segment, but rather the how it happened and what happens after the "happily ever after" we all know. Thus, ultimately changing all that we know about Cinderella.

Yes, there is a fairy godmother, glass slippers, and a ball with a handsome prince. However, Cinderella's--or should I say Ella's--story of soon-to-be pumpkin to gold-plated carriage is interrupted by Rumplestitskin's sudden appearance. He implodes the fairy godmother into her own dust before proceeding to bribe Ella into signing a contract that will give her her happy ending while entitling him to a small, yet valuable possession. Ella signs the contract blindly, only seeing her wonderful future. However, as her happy ending is reaching the point we all know, Rumplestitskin surprises her with another visit, reminding her of their deal, only this time, he reveals his price--Cinderella's first born. He'll be back to collect in 9 months.

Afraid of what will happen and of disappointing her new husband, Ella decides to run. She tells her husband, Thomas, about her deal with Rumplestiltskin and why she must leave: her happy ending will be over. However, Thomas is not so easy to give up. So they devise a plan with the help of Prince Charming and Snow White: make a second deal with Rumplestiltskin, and when he signs the dotted line with a magic quill, his powers will be frozen, long enough to imprison him in the cage we first saw him in.

Luckily for them, Rumplestiltskin's greed gets in the way of his thinking and he signs only to realize too late what's been done. He threatens that he will get her baby no matter where she is, no matter if she's in Fairy Tale Land or elsewhere. This concerns Ella. She wonder's if they did the right thing. I mean, after all, all magic comes with a price, and they just used some serious magic. However, Thomas assures her all is well again and not to worry, but then Thomas disappears. Where's he go? Did someone take him? Will she see him again? Is this the price of their magic?

In Storybrooke, Cinderella's life hasn't been as fabulous as her fairy tale counterpart. Actually, it seems she's gone backward in time. Now she is Ashley Boyd, a 9-month pregnant maid with a stepmother, two step-sisters, and an estranged boyfriend. She's made a deal with Mr. Gold to sell her baby because no one thinks she can raise it on her own.

Yet, it's not long before she crosses paths with Emma who convinces her that this decision is her own. If she wants the baby, she should have it. She's the only one who can change her life. And so, Ashley takes Emma's advice, breaks into Mr. Gold's pawnshop to steal their contract, and then skips town.

Now it's Mr. Gold's turn to come to Emma. He knows she can track Ashley down. And so, in vague terms, convinces Emma to find Ashley and bring her back so that he can retrieve what rightfully belongs to him.

Along the way, Emma realizes (i.e. is told) that it's the baby that Mr. Gold is after. And because of Mr. Gold's trusting, delightfully sweet character, Emma's purpose is changed: She cannot let Mr. Gold get that baby.

With Ashley getting closer and closer to Storybrooke's city limits, the race is on to catch up to her because no one can leave or else "bad things will happen." But, of course, the writers wouldn't actually hurt Cinderella, right?

Emma finds Ashley in time, albeit in a ditch and in labor, and drives her to the hospital. While there, Mr. Gold gets wind that Ashley is having her baby and he's come to collect. Nevertheless, with her change of heart, Emma does the one thing that can stop this deal: she makes another one...with Mr. Gold.

He's pleased with this new contract but unsure what he wants out of it. So he leaves it as a favor she'll owe him. Someday he'll collect, and we can all bet it won't be something as small and innocent as a child.

Oh, and you better keep a watchful eye on that scruffy town sheriff. Boring council meeting with the mayor....yeah, right.

Burning Questions:1) What does Rumple need with the fairy’s wand?2) What is Rumple’s fetish with babies? It fits with his original character but not his Once character.3) When is Henry’s birthday? If Emma had him when she was 18 and she just turned 28 how is Henry already 10? Just a slip up in writing or something else…?4) How is Ruby/Red and Ashley/Cinderella connected in Fairy Tale Land? Friends then or just now?5) As in every episode, what is the “bad thing” that can happen if anyone tries to leave? Is the "bad thing" specific to fairy tale character or always the same? What are the parameters of the curse?6) How awful would it be to be 9 months pregnant for 28 years?7) What was/is Henry’s code name for Emma?8) And ultimately, what will Mr. Gold want when he cashes in his deal/favor with Emma?

Hiding for her life, biding time until she can incur enough dough to live safely in isolation, Snow White ambushes a royal carriage. A normal, ho-hum occurrence for Snow. Stealing from the Evil Queen just seems right for all that she's put Snow through. But this carriage does not belong to her greatest adversary, but to the handsome and betrothed prince on his way to his castle. Snow White's loot consists of jewels, including a precious ring from the prince's mother, and he's determined to get it back.

Hunting Snow White down after she gets away with the jewels, he entraps her and bargains, er, blackmails Snow into retrieving it. After all, she's a wanted woman with her face and treacherous charges plastered all over the kingdom. Wouldn't want the queen to suddenly get wind of her whereabouts. Snow White has no choice but to help the prince, whom she dubs Prince "Charming" for his charming way with words. But getting the ring back won't be easy. You see, she sold it to the trolls for gold. After all, she only wants to live somewhere alone, where the Queen can't get her. Somewhere she can start over, maybe find true love--well, at least start over. Snow doesn't believe in true love, at first sight or otherwise. Nevertheless, she agrees to get the ring back, and set out for the Troll Bridge.

If you've ever read any stories about trolls or seen any pictures of trolls, you might have an idea of what they look like. Green, hunch-backed, and rude, with a vendetta for whoever tries crossing their bridge. Well, the trolls in Once Upon a Time meet that mark. They're green, walk like they have a hunched-back, and their rude. But most of all, they don't like anyone crossing their bridge. So, when Snow White and Prince Charming ask for a re-trade, the trolls are suspicious, and at the first sign of eagerness, they immediately shout, "Ambush!". Prince Charming is thrown into action, his sword slashing at the green beasts. Snow White gets away, racing to safety, knowing the prince isn't far behind. But when she turns around, she sees him cornered by the trolls, close to losing the fight. Her instinct--run. Forget "Charming" and run. But honor got in the way. After all, she owes him for saving her life.

Just before they reached the Troll Bridge, Snow White ran into a few a of the Queen's soldiers. Their goal: please the Queen and bring back Snow's heart--just like the huntsman failed to do. But Prince Charming came to her rescue. So, you see, running wasn't so easy after all. A life for a life.

Snow White runs back and uses her magic fairy dust she had saved up to annihilate the queen, and poofed the trolls into squash-able bugs. The prince and Snow White trade goods: the prince his ring, and Snow White her gold (which was conveniently up for grabs after the trolls turned into beetles). But they also trade a promise. If Snow White should ever need anything...he will always find her.

But back in Storybrooke, it's Snow White, er, Mary Margaret who does the finding. We caught a glimpse of the prince's "real world" counterpart in episode one. He was a hospital coma patient who'd most likely been in that state for 28 years. But after 28 years he's woken up. Let me back up just a bit first.

Mary Margaret is a lonely schoolteacher. She feels she'll always be alone, but she doesn't want that, won't accept that. She wants to find that guy, her true love, her Prince Charming, but so far all she's gotten are duds. Especially the last one. It's kind of hard to see the love in the man's eyes when they're looking at the skimpy-clad waitress. I mean, come on.

So, with head down, thoughts a million miles away, she walks home, only to stumble upon Emma in her car. If you remember, last episode, Granny kicked her out. Can't have criminals at the cozy bed and breakfast. So she's sleeping in her car. Although Mary Margaret offers up her spare room, being roomies is just not Emma's thing. So, the recliner on the driver's seat is the best she's gonna get for now.

In the mean time, Henry's class is visiting the hospital as part of a volunteer program. They're decorating the halls with banners that say "Get Well Soon" in bright, colorful letters. But Henry's thoughts are elsewhere. He's found the coma patient and he looks familiar--like someone in the pictures of his book. And it's the scar on his chin that confirms his beliefs. It's Prince Charming--Snow White's true love and Emma's father. If only Mary Margaret could somehow--I don't know--wake him up. Maybe read their story to him. Yeah! Why not? After all, they're destined to be together. It just might work.

And so, after a little bit of convincing from Emma, Mary Margaret goes to the hospital to read. She's skeptical and is just doing this out of a favor for Emma and Henry. But when she's just finished reading about them finding love under the shadow of the troll bridge, John Doe grabs her hand. Mary Margaret races of to find the good doctor, but lousy date, to declare the good news. But the doctor is in cahoots with Madame Mayor Regina and insists the monitors say nothing, but relates a whole new story to the mayor after Mary Margaret leaves.

Hours later, in the dead of night, John Doe has fully waken up and unofficially releases himself from the hospital, taking the gown with him. He's looking for someone and his subconscious leads him into the woods.

Well, John Doe's unofficial release sets the hospital into panic mode. He's not well enough to be released, let alone wander through the woods. Emma, Mary Margaret, the sheriff, and Henry set out to find Mr. Doe. And when they do, they're anything but relieved to find that he's merely taken a swim in the creek. He's unconscious again, and what should wake him up but a CPR kiss from Mary Margaret. Yep, he's awake again, although he doesn't know who he is. But the mayor does.

Back at the hospital, a new player in the game makes an appearance. Remember that Prince Charming was betrothed. Well, in Storybrooke, he's not only betrothed, if you will, but married...to Kathryn Nolan. And his name: David. So long, John Doe and Mary Margaret's happily ever after.

Emma thinks Kathryn Nolan's story is fishy. After all, she didn't even come looking for him all these years he's been in a coma. Surely, she would have checked the entire small town by now, including the hospital. But no. It wasn't to be until now. It's all in the timing...Regina's timing.

With her upper-hand firmly reinstated, Regina makes a few excuses for Kathryn and then declares that Emma and Mary Margaret should be happy about these turn of events because now Kathryn and David can be happy again now that they've found each other, which reminds her why she's so happy to have Henry.

Having someone is important and being alone, like Mary Margaret and Emma, well, it can get very lonely...

And.."because not having someone, well, that’s the worse curse imaginable."

Burning Questions: 1) How can Kathryn even be a possibility? David's been in a coma for the entire 28 years, right? 2) Will Mary Margaret's Snow White ring come into play in Storybrooke? 3) Who is Dr. Whale? 4) Is David really David's name? Is James really Prince Charming's name? 5) Does Snow White feel bad, happy, or indifferent to ruining the Queen's life? 6) Where was Rumplestiltskin in the Snow White/Prince Charming storyline? 7) Is there any kind of magic in Storybrooke? Hence, true love's kiss?